Line Hunters

8. History of the Lines

Ian headed back to his room, but instead of going to the bed, he went out the balcony and leaned forward on the railing. Closing his eyes, Ian exhaled, and unknown to him, a light green smoke escaped his mouth and evaporated. Ian opened his eyes, staring at the bright, full moon. He wondered who else was looking at the moon at this moment and if the blindfolded woman was looking at it too. A little more than two years have passed since Ian left her side, and since then, there had been no communication between the two. It was like the woman had disappeared. In a way, Ian understood she didn't want to be found.

Before Ian left, he had made a promise to her. It happened during late autumn, and he was practicing wielding a sword while the woman sat on the porch.

Ian... The woman was in deep thought while watching the boy's weak and slow movements.

The day Ian defeated the Line Predators, the woman saw a glimpse of his identity and untouchable power. For a moment, Ian was radiating, and his eyes were clear and light, no longer the warm brown eyes, and his whole self was like the moon, enthralling and still. And in that brief moment, he felt distant.

"Your recovery is too slow," the woman said.

The boy stopped and looked at her.

"Ian, I know you're stronger than you look," the woman said. "Whoever hurt you may be the reason why you're so weak. I want you to take the Line Hunter Trial."

Ian's training paused and he sat down next to her as the woman finally explained the world to him.

"There are lines everywhere throughout the world, even inside humans and animals, and these lines are invisible to ordinary human eyes. There are a variety of lines that represent many different things; there are so many lines it makes it impossible to learn the meanings of each. Lines show the three pillar strengths, it shows one's personality and it leads to something, which is where the idea of fate and destiny comes from. If two people are meant to be together, the line will remain through the two and fade if the love becomes solid or starts fading. If fate changes, then the line that was supposed to lead them to their fate vanishes, and a new one emerges, which can be good or bad.

But, the lines that wrap the world and control thought, feelings, strength, and destiny, which were supposed to remain untouched and lead us to a good end, had been corrupted by what we call Line Predators. Predators are the reason someone's life is cut short, why there's so much violence and suffering. Predators are the only ones who can see the lines, which drives some of them insane being surrounded by all sorts of lines and leads them to cut the lines. Because of this, sometimes the Predators change things unintentionally. But, they are still evil. There are specific kinds of lines that Predators look for, and they will indulge without caring about who'll suffer for it.

Not long after the lines were disturbed, a young man named Avi Lavoye, the only human known to have the ability to see the lines, developed the Line Hunter Trial so he could teach others how to protect the lines and kill the Line Predators."

"If hunters protect the lines, why are they called Line Hunters?" Ian asked.

"Killing the Predators is important, but getting rid of evil lines which came from the Predators is as important. So many hunters focus on the Predators that they forget about the lines, which spread and infect the other lines. If you get out, Ian, you'll see how the Predators' lines caused damage to the natural ones, and how easily goodness gets infected. The Predators are also lines; they are just reflections of humans who become corrupted just through the obsession with their image, which comes from looking into mirrors.

Avi Lavoye was also the one to discover the power hidden inside us: our spiritual power. With his teachings, our powers became easier to tap into and discover. For many centuries, he was known to be the strongest, wielding great power, but now, a new generation has the title of the strongest, and they're called the Risers."

"They must be strong enough to stop all of them," Ian said.

"Maybe." The woman looked away, staring at the hill. "Since the day I found you, Line Predators have actively attacked, and naturally, the Risers and other Line Hunters responded. This led to a big fight, and the Risers managed to temporarily weaken and seal the Predators in their realm. However... The Risers also faced great damage, or at least that's what people believe. After the battle, the Risers disappeared, never seen or heard of again to this day." The woman looked back at Ian. "The Predators are reappearing, and for some reason, they've become stronger."

"No one else can stop them?"

"The Risers are this world's only hope."

And you. The woman kept that part to herself. "Ian, I want you to take and pass the exam because it'll make finding the Risers easier."

"Why will it make the mission easier?"

"Line Hunters have more access to everything related to lines, the hunters and Predators. Becoming one will also mean more chances for you to encounter Predators and grow in strength. You must not die."

"I won't."

"I won't."

Even if Ian hadn't made that promise, the boy truly didn't want to die. There were so many things to learn and he had only learned a small portion. Ian had yet to try all sorts of food, find the joy people found during holiday parties, understand why someone would cry over a joke and why people loved mentioning their insecurities. Ian had yet to feel. He understood a little bit of humanity and feelings, but there was no 'spark' or 'liveliness' in him.

Recalling the promise, Ian also thought about their departure. He thought it was sudden. A strong Line Predators had attacked the village where the woman usually got her supplies, and it happened so she was there when the village was attacked. Ian remembered waiting along with Arvak, and the faint disturbance in his heart as they continued to wait, wait too long. Then Arvak went crazy, running away, and Ian felt the urge to go after him but remained seated. Before the Madam had left, she told him to remain here and wait for her return.

Ian waited a week for the woman to come back. Arvak hadn't returned either. Although Ian had always eaten meals with the woman, he never understood eating was essential, and after devouring the moonlight from the Predators, he had been full so he didn't eat much. Ian went a week without eating and eventually fainted.

When his consciousness returned, Ian found himself in a different place, with strangers barging in through an extravagant door and shouting woefully. That was how Ian came to the Tailight Family.